Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine has been found to improve memory and
cognitive function in older individuals. Many people
find that once they pass a certain age, they start forgetting
little things more often than before. Things like where
they put the car keys. Everyone forgets things from time
to time, so psychologists have identified specific criteria
that need to be met in order to classify the symptoms as age
associated memory impairment (AAMI). Many neural processes are
involved in memory and there has been much research done to
determine if there are ways to support healthy memory
processes. Exercise has been found to be helpful, and
several nutritional supplements, including phosphatidylserine,
have been identified which may be helpful in supporting memory
function.

What is phosphatidylserine?
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is part of the cell
membrane in animal and plant cells. It is a component in
the normal structure of the cell membranes of most cells
including brain cells. Phospholipids are similar in structure
to triglycerides except that they contain an added phosphorus
compound. Other phospholipids play a role in cell
structure, but in the human brain, phosphatidylserine is the
most abundant phospholipid.

The cell membrane of a nerve cell is inherently involved in
the transmission of nerve impulses and also cell signaling via
neurotransmitters. Any loss of cell membrane integrity in a
nerve cell will adversely affect nerve transmission.
There is an age related deterioration of the structure of some
nerve synapses in the brain and supplemental phosphatidylserine
may help prevent this deterioration.

Does phosphatidylserine
improve memory? Several clinical studies found that
supplemental phosphatidylserine improved memory and
cognitive functions in adults with age-associated memory
impairment (AAMI), and also in the more severe condition,
Alzheimer's disease. Based on these and other studies
the FDA has allowed a limited health claim to be made for
phosphatidylserine. This allows manufacturers of
phosphatidylserine supplements to print the health claim
right on the label or packaging of the product. Very
few supplements have had a limited health claim approved by
the FDA.

Supplement manufacturers are
allowed to label their product with the statement,
"Consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the
risk of cognitive dysfunction in the
elderly." As long as they also include
the limiting statement, "Very limited and
preliminary scientific research suggests that
phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive
dysfunction in the elderly. FDA concludes that there is
little scientific evidence supporting this
claim."

The FDA allows the health claim but requires the limiting
statement in order to indicate that the supporting research is
limited and preliminary at this time. This is probably
because the total number of human studies conducted is rather
small, and not all studies have found a benefit. Earlier
studies were conducted with phosphatidylserine extracted from
cow brain. Phosphatidylserine products available today
are derived from soybeans. This is in response to concern
about the possible transmission of mad cow disease by products
derived from cattle. Switching to a plant source of
phosphatidylserine is a rational choice but soybean derived
phosphatidylserine is not chemically identical to the bovine
derived product. Because of this, additional studies will
have to be done with soybean-derived phosphatidylserine to show
that it has similar benefits.

The estimated daily intake of phosphatidylserine from food
sources for the average person is 80mg per day.
Many of the studies using phosphatidylserine for age
related memory impairment used a dose of 300 mg per
day. Considering the extent to which
phosphatidylserine participates in the structural integrity of
cell membranes of brain cells, there is a strong theoretical
basis for supplementing with phosphatidylserine to support
healthy memory function.

Phosphatidylserine is
available at most health food stores. The
well known Nature's Way brand contains
500 mg of phosphatidylserine complex which is
standardized to contain 100mg of phosphatidylserine
per softgel capsule.

Note that statements on this website are provided
for information purposes only and have not been evaluated by
the FDA. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.